Music Department ~ Strategic Plan Section 1 Music Program Description 1.1.1 Mission, vision, and goals BriefdescriptorsoftheMusicDepartmentandProgram The Music Department advocates for the value of music study in the education of every individual and specifically in the liberal arts curriculum of this College. Since a liberal arts education informs and engages the body, mind, and spirit and thereby enables students to analyze, synthesize, and creatively develop their own expressions of thoughts and feelings, we are at the heart of this essential endeavor. We offer majors in music and music education. We share the rich tradition of music with the general student population in the classroom, studio, and concert hall. We attract and engage non-majors in our performance offerings even at the most advanced levels. We prepare teachers who enter the field skilled and committed to further the musical art form in our public and private educational institutions. We advocate for life-long learning in music. TheMusicDepartmenthasbeenaccreditedbytheNationalAssociationofSchoolsofMusic (NASM)since1947.Wecurrentlyhave50musicandmusiceducationmajors(as calculatedforourannualnasm HEADSreport).Overthelastfiveyears,anaverageof536 studentsregisteredformuscourses,lessonsandensemblesinfallsemester.thisnumber doesnotincludethethreefullftssectionsandthecurriculumiicoursetaughtbymusic Departmentfaculty.Weservethesestudentswith14full timeand22(7.158fte)adjunct part timefaculty.thisresultsina25.3/1student/facultyratio. Weofferindividualperformanceinstructiononallstring,brass,woodwind,andpercussion instruments,voice,bothclassicalandjazzguitar,piano,organ,andharp,alltaughtby specialistteachersontheirparticularinstrument.ourmusicensembleprogramincludes twolargemixed,onesmallmixed,onemen s,andtwowomen schoirs;twolargewind orchestras(bands);asymphonyorchestraandaphilharmonic(string)orchestra;twojazz ensembles;andnumeroussmallerandchambermusicensembles,allofwhichperformon campus.manyoftheseensemblesalsoperforminchurches,schoolsorforotheroccasions intheregion.fiveensemblestourmoreextensively;threeincludeaninternationaltour everyfouryears.musiceducationgraduatesfromgustavusadolphushavea100%record offindingteachingjobsbythenextfallaftertheyreceivetheirteachinglicense.manyof ourstudentsadvancetoprestigiousgraduateprogramsinmusic,findingthattheir undergraduatestudyatgustavusadolphushaspreparedthemwell.othergraduates
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page2of22 pursuecareersinmusic,business,andindustry,vocationsaschurchmusiciansaroundthe world,andlivesasavidparticipantsinandsupportersofmusicintheircommunities. Through coursework in performance, music theory, music history/literature, and conducting that engages students in making, listening to, and studying music Music Majors who graduate from Gustavus will o be able to hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music; o have an understanding of and the ability to read and realize musical notation; o have an understanding of compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the way these shape and are shaped by artistic, social, and cultural forces; o have an acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources; o have the ability to develop and defend musical judgments; o have the ability to perform at a high level on their chosen instrument, both individually and in consort with other musicians, and have an overview of the repertory for their instrument; o have an understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of musical styles; o and understand the dynamics of interaction between music performers and their audiences. Music Education Majors who graduate from Gustavus will, in addition to the above list, o have the ability to read at sight, have keyboard competency, rehearsal and conducting skills, and rudimentary creative abilities in both composition/arranging and improvisation; o have developed a base of knowledge, skills, understanding, and experience as music teachers through coursework primarily in the Education Department to meet standards for licensure established by the State Board of Teaching. Music Minors and other non-majors will have the opportunity to grow in their musicianship through private lessons, ensemble participation, and performances (both as soloists and in consort with other performers). They will also have opportunity to expand their knowledge of music literature and its structure through coursework in music appreciation, theory, and other electives. Statement of Mission The Mission of the Music Department is to teach majors and non-majors how to develop their full potential as musicians and to share the department's heritage of excellence in notable performances on the Gustavus Adolphus campus and with communities around this nation and the world. The curriculum of the Music Department aspires to teach music students to intelligently and artistically express themselves through a broad range of genres in musical performance, composition, and discourse. The Music Department affirms the transformational nature of a mature understanding of the core value of music in a liberal arts education and promotes a passion for life-long engagement with music.
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page3of22 Statement of Vision Gustavus Adolphus College will be more widely recognized for a music program of excellence that attracts and prepares music and music education majors in a liberal arts context and actively engages non-majors in a performance-oriented Department. A distinctive feature of the music department will be its increased focus on vocal and instrumental chamber music. The department will be positioned to meet a larger variety of individual student needs through course selection, repertoire choice, collaborative efforts, and leadership opportunities. The department will actively promote the creation of new music by encouraging compositional efforts of students, faculty, and commissioning works by renowned composers. We will rebuild a strong church music program in collaboration with the Christ Chapel program. We will intensify our recruitment efforts to re-establish the number of music majors at 100 students. We will expand our outreach efforts, including music ensemble tours, run-out performances, Laboratory School, and vocal and instrumental clinics and festivals. We will expand our support for the work of our students by providing high quality musical instruments, technological resources, and accompaniment personnel. Finally, we look forward to the construction of a substantial addition to our building to provide sorely needed teaching, rehearsal, practice, performance, and storage space. Goals 1) Students will meet the outcomes outlined above and thereby engage in a rich musical experience and grow in their ability to express themselves musically, whether as focused music majors or non-major student musicians. 2) Excellent equipment (including musical instruments) We will continue to provide and maintain high quality musical instruments for use by students who do not already own their own, so that they are able to produce appropriate musical results. We will continue to maintain and upgrade the equipment in the Music Lab, classrooms, teaching studios, rehearsal rooms, and faculty offices to provide appropriate technologies for individual and group presentations, recording, reproduction, research, and connectivity, as well as for regular record-keeping and correspondence necessary to the work of the department. 3) Building: Buildasubstantialadditiontothemusicbuildingtoprovidenecessaryteaching, rehearsal,practice,performance,andstoragespace. Findshort termsolutionsforthelackofchoralrehearsalspace.
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page4of22 4)Recruitment: Expandandendowthemusicscholarshipprogram. Increasethequality,diversity,andnumberofmusicmajors. DesignateanAdmissionsAssociatetofocusonrecruitingmusicstudentsfor GustavusAdolphus,withanincreasedemphasisonmusicmajors,whilemaintaining andstrengtheningrecruitmentofnon majormusicstudents. Develophighimpactrecruitingandmarketingmaterialsinpartnershipwith AdmissionsandMarketingoffices. 5)Staffing: Facultypositions o HiretenuretrackfacultyconductorofGustavusSymphonyOrchestra(forfall 2010) o ConvertViolinfacultypositionfromtermappointmenttotenuretrack(forfall 2010) o Hireafull time10 monthmusicdepartmentchair(forfall2011) o Addatenuretrackfacultypositionincomposition/musictheory(within5years) o Addatenuretrackfacultypositioninmusicology(within5years) o ProvideadequatestaffingforexpandedChurchMusicprogram.(maybeatleast partiallyaccomplishedbyreconfiguringtheorganist/cantorposition) o EstablishatenuretrackMusicEducationposition(maybeaccomplishedby reconfiguringanexistingposition) o Convertoneortwoadjunctvoicefacultypositionstofulltime(within5years) Staffpositions o Increasestaffaccompanistpositions(neededimmediately) o Restoreatleasthalf timelibrarianpositioninthemusiclibrary(forfall2009) o Restorehalf timesupportstaffpositioninfineartsoffice(forfall2009) o AddstaffpersonnelthroughGTSfocusedonrecording,computermaintenance, andothermediaforthedepartment 6)Curriculum: Reviewandrevise(ideallyreduce)graduationrequirementsformusicandmusic educationmajorsinordertoexpandtheflexibilityofcourseandelectivechoicesfor students. ReestablishsacredmusicprogramincollaborationwithChristChapel. 7)Touring/Recording: IncreasecoordinationoftourprogramswithofficesofAdmission,Advancement, Alumni,ChurchRelations,andMarketing. Continuefull time9 monthtourmanagerstaffposition. Developrecordingcapabilitiestoenhancetheexperienceofourstudents,better documenttheirwork,andenableproductionofourowncdsforsaleanduseas advertising/recruitmentmaterials. BroadcastChristmasinChristChapeloverappropriatemedia(publictelevision, publicradio,and/orviainternet).
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page5of22 8)Fundraising: DeveloptheFriendsofMusicinitiativeincollaborationwiththeOfficeof Advancementtoincreaseendowmentthatsupports o JussiBjörlingMusicScholarships, o Musicensembletouringprogram, o RegularGustavusMusicShowcaseconcertsatOrchestraHallinMinneapolis 1.2 Programs DepartmentofMusicprograms BA in Music BA in Music Education o Vocal Music emphasis o Instrumental Music emphasis Departmental Honors in o Performance o Composition o History-Literature Music Minor Contributions to Interdisciplinary Programs International Education o international music ensemble tours with companion courses that focus on the socio-cultural features of the performance venues o study abroad programs with emphasis in music Interdisciplinary Studies o national music ensemble tours with companion courses that focus on the sociocultural features of the performance venues o musical theatre productions with the Department of Theatre and Dance o January Term courses Contributions to General Education: Curriculum I ARTS courses: Theory, History, and Pedagogy of Music o MUS 101 Music Appreciation ARTS courses: Music Performance Studies (Lessons) o MUS 129 Voice Class o MUS 245-247 and MUS 345-346 Keyboard o MUS 248 and MUS 348 Voice o MUS 249-254 and MUS 349-353 Woodwinds o MUS 255-259 and MUS 355-359 Brass o MUS 260 and MUS 360 Percussion o MUS 261-266 and MUS 361-366 Strings o MUS 266-267 and MUS 366-367 Guitar ARTS courses: Music Performance Studies (Ensembles) o MUS 150-156 Choral Ensembles o MUS 160-161 Jazz Ensembles o MUS 165-166 Wind Orchestras
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page6of22 o MUS 170-171 Orchestras o MUS 140-141 Accompanying o MUS 157, 173-194 Chamber Music Ensembles NWEST course: MUS 102 Music of World Cultures WRITI courses: o FTS 100-173 The Times They are A Changin : Popular Songs that Chronicle the 20 th Century o FTS 100-178 The Power of Music o FTS 100-242 Pop Music U.S.A. WRITD course: MUS 374 History of Western Music I Contributions to General Education: Curriculum II CUR 220 Musical Understanding Outreach Piano Lab School o Gustavus piano students, after taking Piano Pedagogy course, teach lessons to pre-college-aged students from the community o Gustavus student teachers are supervised by Director of the Lab School in collaboration with piano faculty Touring o Performance tours by music ensembles off campus provide both extended performance opportunities for our students and cultural outreach and publicity to the larger community on behalf of the College o Three international touring ensembles Gustavus Choir, Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Symphony Orchestra tour annually, alternating regional, national domestic, and international destinations in a coordinated four-year cycle. These tours take place during January Term (extended and international tours), Touring Week (regional tours), or Spring Break. (In alternate years, only the strings of the Symphony tour since many of the wind and percussion players are also members of the Wind Orchestra.) o Two additional touring ensembles Choir of Christ Chapel and Gustavus Jazz Lab Band perform long weekend tours or spring break tours. o Many smaller ensembles and the groups named above also perform run-out performances at churches or other venues in the region. Honor Band o This annual event brings representative students from area high schools (chosen by audition) to the campus for an intensive rehearsal period and performance in conjunction with the Gustavus Wind Orchestra led by our Wind Orchestra conductor and using several Gustavus specialist faculty for instrument-specific clinics. o We are exploring ways to do something similar with choral students and, once we have a new conductor in place, with strings. Ourstudentscompetesuccessfullyforentranceintoprestigiousgraduateprogramsin music,thoughthisposeschallengesforusaswetrytoprovidethemwithadequate preparationinagenuineliberalartsundergraduatecontext,somethingverydifferentfrom theconservatorytrainingmanyoftheirgraduateschoolpeerswillhavereceived.we
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page7of22 believestronglyinourapproachandwillseekwaystocontinueandstrengthentheirbroad liberalartsexperiencewhiledevelopingthemusicalunderstandings,technique,andskills theywillneedtocontinuetheirmusicaldevelopment. Musicisavery handson enterprise,sinceamusicalcompositionissomethingintangible thatcanbeexperiencedandstudiedonlywhensomeonerecreatesitbyperformingit. Thereforewefocusourcontributiontothegeneraleducationofallstudentsin performancecourses(individuallessonsandgroupensembles)whileofferingastandard musicappreciationapproachforstudentswithnoperformingbackground.these appreciationcoursesalsoprovidesomeinsightintotheperformanceaspectofthemusical artastheyalignwiththeoutcomesoftheartsrequirementoftheliberalartsperspective core. 1.3 Support relationships DepartmentofEducation o StudentswhomajorinMusicEducationtakemanycoursesfromthe EducationDepartmentinadditiontotheirmusiccoursesinordertoqualify forlicensure. o AllElementaryEducationmajorstakeaMusicFundamentalscourseand ElementaryMusicMethodscourseinourdepartment. DepartmentofTheatreandDance o Everyotheryear,wecollaboratewiththeDepartmentofTheatreandDance intheproductionofamusicaltheatremainstageproductionduringjanuary Term(performancestakeplaceearlyinspringsemester). o Thisspring(2009),theTheatreDepartmentisofferingaMusicalTheatre courseforthefirsttime;amusicdepartmentmajorisprovidingpiano accompanimentforthecourse. o DancersregularlyparticipateinChristmasinChristChapel. ChristChapel o ThecurrentChairoftheMusicDepartmentisalsotheOrganist/Cantorof ChristChapel(3 courseloadequivalent). o Allofthechoirsandseveralinstrumentalensemblesparticipateregularlyin providingmusicfordailyandsundayservicesofchristchapel. o Studentsoloists,bothvocalandinstrumental,alsoparticipateintheChapel programofdailyandsundayservices. o ChristChapelisoftenthelocationforceremonialeventsinthelifeofthe college(honorarydegrees,inaugurations,memorialservices,gacac,etc.) andmusicdepartmentfacultyandstudentmusiciansandensemblesare regularlyinvolvedinsuchevents. o TheChoirofChristChapelisthemostprominentmusicalensemblethat functionsprimarilyaspartofthechapelmusicprogrambutalsoisan integralpartoftheensembleprogramofthemusicdepartment. o Twohandbellchoirs,conductedbyamusicdepartmentadjunctfaculty member,functionalmostentirelyaspartofthemusicprogramofchrist Chapel,butprovideanothermusicalensembleopportunityforstudentsin
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page8of22 thedepartmentandstudentswithnootherinvolvementinourdepartment. Thissameadjunctfacultymemberisalsohiredonanadministrativecontract asassociateorganistatchristchapeltoplaytwoservicesperweekplus JanuaryTermassubstitutefortheCantorbeingDepartmentChair. o TheChapelBrassisthepremier,auditionedbrassquintetthatfunctions primarily,thoughnotexclusively,toprovidemusicforchapelservicesona regularbi weeklyschedule. o Ofnecessity,theMusicDepartmentusesChristChapelforperformancesby ourlargeinstrumentalandchoralensemblesduetothestagesizelimitations inthejussibjörlingrecitalhallandtheinadequateaudiencespacethe RecitalHallaffords.Thisisacompromiseonbothparts,withdisruptionsto thephysicalspacewhenourensemblesbringtheirequipmentintothe Chapel,andamuchlessthandesirableacousticalenvironment,particularly forthelargeinstrumentalensembles.thesearecompromisesofnecessityat presentandwegreatlyappreciatetheaccommodationsmadeforusbythe Chapel. OfficeoftheChaplains o ThecurrentChairoftheMusicDepartment,inhisroleasOrganist/Cantorat ChristChapel,servesontheChapelWorshipstaff. o OneoftheChaplainshasoftenassistedwithplanningforandtravelingwith thechoirofchristchapelonitsspringtour.thisroleisbeingassumedby thedirectorofchurchrelations. o Manymusicensemblesrespondwillinglytorequestsformusicforspecial eventsorganizedbythechaplains,inadditiontoprovidingmusicformany dailyandsundayservices. o ChaplainBrianJohnsonservesasArtisticDirectorofChristmasinChrist Chapel. OfficeofChurchRelations o TheOfficeofChurchRelationsassistswithschedulingmusicensemblesfor servicesandspecialoccasionsinregionalchurchesandincreasinglyinthe planningfortheannualchoirofchristchapeltour. o MusicDepartmentfacultyparticipateinthePartnersinEducationprogram. o TheOfficeofChurchRelationsisalsoakeyplayerinadvertisingmusic departmentperformancesinthetwincities,aroundtheregion,and throughoutthenation.wegreatlyappreciatethesupportandenthusiasmof thisoffice. AlumniRelationsOffice o MusicDepartmentmusiciansoccasionallyparticipateinorprovidemusicfor Alumnievents. o WeenvisionmoreinvolvementwiththeAlumniOffice,particularlyin conjunctionwithmusicensembletourprogramsintourdestinationcities,as wellasincreasedmarketingofdepartmentperformancesoncampusthat wouldattractalumni. AdmissionsOffice o TheMusicDepartmentisveryheavilyinvolvedinrecruitment,especiallythe threeinternationaltouringensembleconductors,whomeetwithseveral
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page9of22 prospectivestudentseachweek,writelargenumbersoflettersand postcards,andmakenumerousphonecalls. o Mostofthestudentswehelprecruitforthecollegeplantomajorinother disciplines,butcontinuetheirinvolvementandgrowthasstudentmusicians isahighpriorityastheyconsiderwheretoattendcollege.ourextensive incorporationofnon majorsintoourperformingensemblesandlesson studiosiscertainlyasignificantfactorintheirdecisiontoattendgustavus. o ThewholedepartmentisinvolvedinthescreeningprocessfortheJussi BjörlingMusicScholarshipprogram. ThecurrentcollegeScholarshipDaysareinfactanoutgrowthofthe originalbjörlingscholarshipdaywedesignedandimplemented. o Webelievethereispotentialforadditionalinvolvementinmeetingwith prospectivestudentsinconnectionwithdomestictourperformancesaround thecountryandchristmasinchristchapelservices. o TheassistanceandinvolvementofAdmissionsinourbiennialOrchestraHall Showcaseconcertisgreatlyappreciated.Thisisjustonemoreexampleof howaneventthatisofenormousbenefittoourstudents(theopportunityto performmusicinoneofthebestacousticalenvironmentsinthecountry)is alsoasignificantbenefittothecollegethroughalumnirelations,admissions recruiting,churchrelations,marketing,andadvancement.everybodywins wheneverybodytakesfulladvantageofsuchopportunities.wearenot convincedthatfulladvantageisalwaystakenoftheseopportunities. OfficeofMarketingandCommunication o WeworkverycloselywiththeOfficeofMarketingandCommunicationin preparingpublicityforcampusandoffcampusperformancesbyindividuals, facultysoloists,andparticularlyensembleperformancesandtours. o TheDirectorofFineArtsreportstoMarketing,butisresponsibleforthe schedulingandstaffingofbjörlingrecitalhall,preparationofmost programs,recordingofallmusicperformances,allpublicityformusic departmentevents,contractingwithandallarrangementsforartistseries performancesandjohnsonchairinfineartsresidencies,andasconsultant tothemusicensembletourmanager.heoccasionallytravelswith ensemblesasonsitecoordinatorwhenmultipleensemblestour simultaneously.healsoprovidessupportforthedepartmentof Theatre/Danceandhashadresponsibilityforoversightofstudentgallery guardsforhillstrommuseum.thisistoobigajobforonepersonwithno professionalclericalsupport! o Webelievethatmorebenefittothecollegecouldberealizedbyexpanded publicityofthemusicprogramandspecificmusiceventswithanincreased budgetforprintadsincarefullyselectedandtargetedjournalsand publications. OfficeofInstitutionalAdvancement o FriendsofMusic aninitiativebythedepartmenttoidentify,cultivate,and encouragefinancialsupportfrompeopleinterestedinmusic.thisinitiative hasbornesomefruit,buttodateremainsagoodideathathasnotreally
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page10of22 beguntobedevelopedtoitspotential.weneedassistancetoeffectively carrythisinitiativeforward. o Musicstudentsandmusicensemblesprovidemusiconoccasionforfundraisingevents.Moreopportunitiesforsuchmutuallybeneficialeventsare envisioned. o Furthermore,webelievethatmoreopportunitiesexistforAdvancement eventstobescheduledaroundmusicperformancesandensembletour performances. FineArtsOffice o Thesupportofthisofficeisvitaltothepublicfaceofourprogram,in preparingprintedprogramsandposters,managingbjörlingrecitalhall,and providingfront of house,backstageworkers,andsoundboothstaffforthe 100orsoperformancessponsoredbythedepartmenteachyear.While responsibilityformanagingmusicensembletourshasbeenmovedtoanew position,thefineartsofficehasalsolostitssupportstaff,makingitvery difficulttomanagethevastarrayofperformances,provideadequate publicity,andrespondtootherassignmentsfromtheofficeofmarketingand Communicationtowhichthisofficereports. ManagerofMusicEnsembleTours o Thisnewpositionisawelcomeadditiontoourprogram.Havingasingle personresponsiblefortouringenablesustobemoreefficientandeffective bothinservingourstudentsandourpublics.wewillneedtocontinueto explorehowtoserviceseveraltoursthatmusttakeplacesimultaneously. Thisisgoingtorequireidentifyingadditionalindividualswhocantravelwith andmanagethetoursonsite,whilethetourmanagercontinuestooversee them,managetheirbudgets,anddomostoftheadvanceplanningand arrangements. NobelConference o MusicDepartmentensemblesregularlyprovidemusicaspreludestomanyof thelecturesforthisconference. o TheDepartmenthasalsooftenprovidedaconcertonthefirsteveningforthe largenumberofgueststothecampus. ChristmasinChristChapel o ThisandtheNobelConferencearearguablythemostimportantpublic eventsoftheyearforthecollege.theplanningforthisoccupiesusmostof theyear.threeofthechoirs,thesymphonyorchestra,organist,handbells, andadditionalindividualmusiciansallcontributetheirtalentstothisevent. ChaplainBrianJohnsonservesasArtisticDirector;GregAune,Conductorof thegustavuschoir,asmusicaldirector.severalotherconductorsinthe MusicDepartmentandtheOrganist/CantoratChristChapel,togetherwith thechoreographers,designers,physicalplant,diningservice,andsomany othersarealsoinvolvedinthisprimaryartisticoncampuseventofthe college. Library o Thelibrarycollectionsofmusicalscoresandmusicrecordingsarehousedin themusiclibrarylocatedinthemusicbuilding,togetherwithselected
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page11of22 Section 2 referenceworks.untiljanuary30,2009,thiswasstaffedbyahalf timestaff personandstudentworkers.whenthisstaffpersonretired,herpositionwas notfilled;oversightofthelibraryisnowmanagedbystafffromthemain library.webelievethathavingastaffpersononsiteisimportantfor oversightandtrainingofstudentworkers,forregularizationofprocedures, securityofthecollection,andeffectiveliaisonwiththemainlibrarystaff.in fact,thispersonshouldbeatrainedlibrarianwithparticularexpertisein music anareaoftendifficultfornon musiclibrarianstohandlebecauseof catalogueandcollectiondevelopmentissues. o Thereasonforthissatellitelibraryistohavetherecordings,scores,and listeningequipmenthousedtogetherformaximumuse,bothforclass assignmentsandindividualexplorationoftherepertoire.amodestnumber ofreferenceworksarealsohousedinthemusiclibraryforconvenient accesswhenstudentsaredoingtheirassignedlistening.thesupportofthe mainlibraryforprofessionalcatalogingofmusicholdingsandoverseeing appropriateproceduresandprotocolsforoperatingthissatellitelibraryare greatlyappreciatedbythemusicdepartment.naturally,musicfacultymake recommendationsforacquisitionsbasedontheircurricularneedsand continuingdevelopmentofthecollection.servicessuchasinter libraryloan arealsoinvaluableforcertainofourmoreadvancedcoursesthatinvolve researchprojects. o Theperformancescorelibrariesforthevariousensemblesaremaintained entirelybythedepartment,catalogedbyacquisitionnumbers,organized throughcomputerizedcatalogsinthemusicofficeusingdatabasesdesigned bydavidfienen,andstoredaroundthebuildinginvariousfacultyoffices, storagerooms,andclosets.thereisacombinedneedforsecurityofthe collectionsontheonehandwithreadyaccessontheotherhandby conductorswhoplanrepertoirethatmustbetakenintoaccountwhenwe allocatebetterhousingofthesematerialsforthefuture. 2.1 Strategic issues Strategic Review Curriculum o We have a strong curriculum as attested by continued accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (since 1947), by NCATE and the Minnesota Board of Teaching. o Our students are well prepared when they advance to prestigious graduate programs, and have a 100% success rate in acquiring public school teaching positions. o We serve and attract a substantial portion of the student body, i.e., 814 of the students registered at Gustavus in fall semester 2008 are taking or have taken MUS courses (=32.6% of 2500); this does not include the three FTS sections we offer most years or the CII course we regularly offer. While some of these students may only take a required course as part of their elementary education
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page12of22 requirements or music appreciation to satisfy their ARTS general education requirement, 628 of them took private lessons and/or ensembles, in many cases repeatedly throughout their undergraduate careers (an average of 6.85 registrations per person). o We currently contribute three FTS sections annually and one CII course. All of our private lessons and ensembles, plus the regular Music Appreciation course satisfy the ARTS general education requirement. Nearly everything else we teach is part of the basic requirements for a major in music or music education or a service course required for all Elementary Education majors. In other words, we do not have the staff to be able to offer, and our majors for the most part do not have room to take, elective or alternative courses in the department. This results in an unfortunate lack of variety in our offerings, our teaching loads, and the choices available to our students. o With the necessity for continuous music performance study, both in private lessons and in ensembles, plus the important study of history/literature, conducting, and theory, the resulting course load for music majors is a bit high (though still much below the music content required for a conservatory type institution). We would like to explore ways to continue to achieve the quality of education and experience for our students while slightly decreasing the size of the major in order to increase flexibility of course choices for our student. This will be a challenge and require considerable creativity. o In addition to the extensive performance portion of our curriculum, we have a thorough program of instruction for our majors in music theory (analysis) and composition (creating new music) as well as in music history/literature and conducting. Our students regularly do well on graduate school entrance exams in these areas, demonstrating that they receive excellent preparation. For the even more motivated and talented student, we have honors programs in three areas (performance, composition, and history/literature). Students o Our students, whether majors or non-majors, are talented, hard working, and spend long hours practicing, rehearsing, and performing. o Test scores for students offered Jussi Björling Music Scholarships for last fall were above the average for that class; i.e., 60% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class. In addition, 45% of the applicants for these music scholarships were finalists for Gustavus President s Scholarships. o The music scholarship program is important to the College since it attracts a significant number of above average students who participate in music but major in other disciplines. Our challenge is to increase the number of majors at the core of our program to strengthen the experience both for our majors and for the nonmajors. Since music majors bring a more informed background to their performance study in the studio, ensemble, and stage, they therefore also improve the musical experience for our many non-majors. We, and the Admissions Department, have probably emphasized the non-major opportunities so strongly that we have neglected a needed focus on recruitment of majors as well.
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page13of22 o Our students also engage regularly in research, presenting at NCUR, participating in the Celebration of Creative Inquiry on campus, and as part of their preparation for recital performances. Faculty o We have 14 full time faculty and 22 part time adjunct faculty. In this mix, we have specialists teaching lessons on all instruments and voice. Of the full time faculty, 12 hold terminal degrees and one more is only one language requirement away from completion; 11 are tenured, 1 has just been appointed to a tenure track position, 1 is in a 3-year Visiting term appointment; the Symphony conductor will be replaced on an interim basis next year with a tenure track replacement in place by fall 2010. o Four of our adjunct faculty hold terminal degrees. More than half of our adjunct faculty have been with us for 5 or more years, several for more than 10 years. o Our faculty are active artist/scholars, performing, reading papers at professional conferences, conducting, editing, publishing, and composing, serving as adjudicators, leading workshops and clinics, and are active in many professional organizations. Collaborations o The involvement of both student and faculty musicians in the public ceremonial and cultural life of the Gustavus Adolphus campus is exemplary. From inaugurations to graduations, Nobel Conference, Christmas in Christ Chapel, recitals and concerts, daily and Sunday services in Christ Chapel, Midnight Express (jazz bands in the caf) during exams, background music for banquets, informal pep bands at athletic events, we are there. In the process, we collaborate with many offices on campus and appreciate their support in the process. These performances are an integral part of the pedagogy and curriculum of the department, at the same time that they are an outreach on behalf of the College and an opportunity to enhance the reputation, recruiting, fund raising and friend raising, and connections with many constituencies, all the while contributing to the artistic growth and understanding of the students involved and engaged. Program o Performance orientation Our program is significantly performance oriented. Studying music is an enterprise in which students and faculty are actively engaged. At Gustavus, we particularly emphasize the active engagement of all in solo and ensemble performances. Through our general education offerings, music major and minor curricula, and the opportunities we offer to other participants, we expose students to the joy and discipline of the musical art, engaging them in the recreation of music by the great composers of the past and of today and in the creative process of composing and improvising. Therefore we provide numerous opportunities for students and ensembles to perform on campus. This performance oriented philosophy also explains the significant role that ensemble touring has in our program. Our students in the touring ensembles perform their programs in several venues, reaching more people, but also learning how to become better musicians through repeated
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page14of22 o Touring performances, how to make it just as good if not better the second or fourth or sixth time, and adjusting to very different acoustics and physical layouts. After such a tour, they perform better, work together more effectively, listen more closely, and achieve a deeper understanding of the music they play/sing. This spills over into the next pieces they learn and the next ensemble in which they participate. Our touring is guided by this philosophy of enhanced musical learning, repeated connection with different audiences, and by the opportunities these performances bring for outreach on behalf of the department, the College, and the profession. This ties into our mission statement in sharing our heritage of excellence in notable performances both on campus and with communities around the country and the world, while realizing the transformational nature of music in the lives and the liberal arts education of the students. Our typical pattern is for the three international touring ensembles to go abroad once every four years one year Gustavus Wind Orchestra, the next Gustavus Choir, then Gustavus Symphony Orchestra. In the fourth year, Gustavus Choir normally undertakes an extended domestic tour. These international and extended domestic tours take them off campus for at least two weeks during January Term, with the first two weeks spent in intensive rehearsals and coursework related to where they will travel. In the other years, these groups undertake a shorter regional tour during Touring Week or Spring Break. A balancing act is required since numerous wind and percussion students play in both the Symphony and the Wind Orchestra. Two other ensembles, the Choir of Christ Chapel and the Gustavus Jazz Lab Band conduct extended weekend or spring break tours most years. Whenever any of these ensembles fly as part of the tour, students pay for their airfare. The college touring budgets cover other expenses. For international tours, the students pay a larger portion of the cost. We would like to develop an endowment that would cover ½ of the student international tour costs. Touring is also a significant aspect of our recruiting, in that a very high percentage of the students we typically attract (both majors and nonmajors) are also looking primarily at our sister colleges (St. Olaf, Luther, and Concordia Moorhead), all of whom have music ensemble touring programs at least as and in several instances more extensive than ours. This is very attractive to prospective students and is certainly a factor in their final decision of where to matriculate. In addition to performances on campus, many of our other smaller ensembles and chamber music groups perform off campus, typically at churches arranged in cooperation with the Office of Church Relations. o Chapel connection With an unusually active Chapel program, there are many opportunities for student musicians and ensembles to perform in daily and Sunday services in addition to the more typical once or twice a semester concert.
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page15of22 o Guest artists We regularly bring guest artists, clinicians, and lecturers to the campus for brief residencies to work with our students and share their artistry with the entire community in public performances/events. o Performance/Engagement summation The lesson and ensemble portion of our curriculum not only occupies a central place, but students involved also experience a richer and more varied performance opportunity that connects them with the music in a stronger and more effective way than a classroom environment alone can provide. The discipline o We have an important opportunity and challenge successfully educating outstanding musicians in a broader liberal arts context than is usually found in music schools, while developing musical understanding and performance capabilities of talented amateurs who are majoring in other fields but for whom music is an integral part of their being. This duality is significant for the discipline in taking seriously the musical skills and potential of non-majors who will at least become avid connoisseurs of the musical art if not also active participants in choirs, orchestras, jazz ensembles, etc., at the same time, we are developing musical leaders with good educations and experience making music and working with both professionals and amateurs. Facilities o Equipment (instruments) over the years we have been able to acquire a good inventory of musical instruments for students to rent or use in their study. More recently, we attained recognition as an All-Steinway school. We continue to acquire, replace when necessary, and upgrade the quality of the instruments used in our program. Nevertheless, with flat budgets over many years, we have a waiting list of instrument needs and replacements/upgrades. o We have developed extensive libraries of performance scores for our ensembles, but there is a continual and ongoing need to incorporate new music into the repertoires of our students and for the benefit of our audiences. Storage space for these libraries is highly inadequate, ranging from small dedicated rooms, storage in faculty offices, to a converted custodial closet. o We make increasingly heavy use of technological resources in our classrooms, studios, rehearsal halls, and especially in the Music Lab. Continued resources for equipment and support for maintaining and assisting us in using the equipment is an ongoing issue. o We have very limited resources for documenting our performances through recordings; additional resources could really capitalize on this both in our teaching and in our outreach on behalf of the College. o As is true across campus, our building is well maintained by the college and respected and treated well by our students.
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page16of22 Building when the current Music Building was constructed as part of the Fine Arts complex (completed in 1971), it was a quantum leap forward for the arts at Gustavus. o Background Shortly before completion of the complex, however, the auditorium/administration building burned to the ground, leaving the campus without a large performance space. The 1,200 seat performance hall that had been envisioned for the Fine Arts Complex was dropped from the plans due to rising costs and perhaps the fact that a large auditorium then still existed on campus. Now, nearly 40 years later, that auditorium has still not been replaced; there is no reasonably good, let alone outstanding or excellent large performance space on the campus. We have to make do by moving large ensembles and events likely to draw large audiences into Christ Chapel, but the acoustics are not conducive to clarity and blend for most musical performances (save for the organ and to some extent choirs) since the facility is primarily intended for congregational singing active rather than passive participation. o Choral Rehearsal Space o Recital Hall o Teaching spaces The plans for the existing Music Building envisioned the Gustavus Choir rehearsing in the back of the Recital Hall, an idea that did not work at Concordia-Moorhead (from whence the idea came) and definitely did not work at Gustavus either. Consequently, with a very strong choral tradition at Gustavus that has only grown in stature and reputation, there is not an even reasonable place for the Gustavus Choir to rehearse! This is, of course, also true for the five other choirs that are part of our rich choral program that involves more than 200 students. The Jussi Björling Recital Hall has excellent acoustics that are adjustable, making it a wonderful performance space for soloists and small to moderate-sized ensembles. The stage is not realistically large enough for our larger instrumental ensembles, and at 475 seats, it simply cannot accommodate the audiences that attend our larger choral and instrumental concerts. It also lacks sound isolation from the undersized lobby or from the practice and rehearsal rooms down the hall from the stage. It has virtually no backstage space, no place to store the pianos off stage when necessary, and no green room in close proximity. However, even with the building of a new Concert Hall, this will continue to be a very important performance space for our numerous smaller performances. When we first occupied the building, there was an overabundance of space in the building, as there should be when building for the future. The music program has increased significantly over the years, not only in quantity but also definitely in quality, and we have long ago outgrown the building. We currently have one full-time faculty member placed in what was to have been the offstage piano storage room, and a full-time violin professor placed in an organ practice room! With a few exceptions, most of our 22
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page17of22 2.2 Barriers o Practice rooms part time adjunct faculty must teach in practice rooms or classrooms, thus decreasing the practice rooms available for students at those times. We have a substantive number of practice rooms, though sound isolation is poor; however, when our program increases in size, especially with more music majors, we will not have enough practice rooms. o Instrumental rehearsal room o Storage space The one large room designed for instrumental rehearsal (bands, orchestras, jazz bands, etc.) is undersized for our large ensembles, needs additional acoustical treatment to protect the ears of the conductors and students, has permanent risers that are inappropriate and greatly limit the flexibility of use. It has inadequate ventilation such that large groups rehearsing in there must keep the doors open for air circulation, which consequently makes practice and teaching very difficult in the rest of the building. The small amount of space allocated in the building for performance music libraries has been long ago superseded. The music library, with its scores and recordings, is also near capacity. There is also very inadequate storage space for instrument travel cases, choral risers, etc., much of which is stored around the mechanical equipment in the basement. Thebarriersthatstandinthewayofourabilitytoachievethequalityandexcellencewe envisionare: 1) thenowinadequatemusicbuildingandlackofahighqualitylargeperformance space(seeaboveinsection2.1); 2) verylimitedfinancialresourcesforpublicityandpromotionthatcouldallowusto beevenmoreeffectiveambassadorsforthecollegeatthesametimethatour studentswouldgettoexperienceevenricherperformanceopportunities; 3) lackofspaceandfacultytimetofullydevelopthechambermusicpossibilitiesofour vision; 4) likemostaspectsofthecollege,insufficientendowmentsupportformusic scholarshipstorecruitandretaingoodstudents; 5) insufficientendowmenttosupportpartofthecostsoftouringandotheroffcampus performanceopportunitiesthatwouldsolidifyandstrengthenanalreadyverygood program; 6) facultycapacitytoonlybeabletoteachtheessentials,withlittleopportunityto offerdistinctiveopportunitiesforstudentexplorationandtobeabletocapitalizeon facultyprofessionalpassions; 7) andweholdconcernforthelong termauralhealthofstudentsandfacultywhouse FAM106asarehearsalspaceaspartofalargeensemble.Theacoustical considerationsofthatroomdonotprovideappropriateearprotectionformusicians inalargeensemble.inthatspace,thedangerofenvironmentalhearinglossisreal, andisamatterofrecord.
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page18of22 Section 3 Strategic Initiatives and Recommendations Recommendation #1 Building (GAC Strategic Iniative 1.1, 1.7) Design and build a substantive addition to the Music Building together with a large (1100-1400 seat) Concert Hall on the campus to address sorely needed teaching, rehearsal, practice, performance, and storage space. o Needs assessment has been concluded in conjunction with consultants (ARTEC) and specifications for both the addition and Concert Hall drawn up together with cost estimates were received January 2007. Additional coordination with the needs of the Theatre/Dance department should be added to this to address the total project. It should be noted that the Concert Hall portion would also serve several other campus needs, such as large lectures, and regional cultural presentations. o The next stage is to place this construction project high on the campus priority list and, as appropriate, proceed with fund raising, architectural designs, and finally breaking ground. Recommendation #2 Recruitment (Strategic Initiative #3.1) Increase the quality, diversity, and number of music majors (to at least 100) while maintaining and even strengthening recruitment of non-major music students for the college. o Designate an Admissions Associate to focus on recruiting music students for Gustavus, with an increased emphasis on music majors. o Formalize and recognize the extensive recruitment loads carried by the three international touring ensemble conductors. o Expand (and endow) the music scholarship program. o Develop high impact recruiting and marketing materials in partnership with Admissions and Marketing offices (we are making some small progress in this area, but all too often miss good opportunities to get the word out extensively and effectively). o BroadcastChristmasinChristChapeloverappropriatemedia(public television,publicradio,and/orviainternet). Recommendation #3 Staffing (Strategic Initiative #1.1, 1.3, 1.5) Hire a tenure track Conductor of the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra following Interim appointment for 2009-2010. (replacement position, for fall 2010) Hire a tenure track Assistant Professor of Violin when current 3-year Visiting Term appointment expires in 2010. This will be especially vital if the tenure track Conductor of the Gustavus Symphony hired at the same time is not a string person. (by fall 2010) Hire a full-time 10-month Music Department Chair. (by fall 2011) o When current Chair s term is completed in 2011, convert this to a full-time appointment, with a national search conducted during the 2010-2011 academic year. Restore the Music Librarian staff position. (by fall 2009) Restore half-time support staff to Fine Arts Office. (by fall 2009) Increase staff accompanist position current practice of using several professional accompanists has advantages in flexibility.
Music Department ~ Strategic Plan (Spring, 2009) page19of22 o Having a good accompanist is vital to the musical growth and success of all vocal and instrumental students. They are already charged an extra fee on top of their tuition for taking lessons, so to add the cost of hiring an accompanist to their expenses is unreasonable. o We currently provide very limited accompanist time for students; however, particularly the vocal students need more of this on a more regular basis throughout the semester. o Primarily, accomplishing this requires an increase in the accompanying budget. Consider converting some of the extensive adjunct part time voice faculty to tenure track. o Currently five adjunct voice faculty loads equal close to three FTE! o Phase this in, with one position hired beginning fall 2012 and the second two or three years later. Longer-term goal will be to hire a tenure track Musicologist, a tenure track Composer/Theory professor, and a tenure track Music Education specialist as the number of music majors increases. Recommendation #4 Curriculum (These are to be accomplished by the Music Department) (Strategic Initiative #1.1) Review and revise (ideally reduce) graduation requirements for music and music education majors, while retaining quality of the program. o Balancing act required between the genuine liberal arts goals of the Department/College and providing adequate preparation for our majors who compete with conservatory-trained peers for entrance to prestigious graduate programs or for other performance opportunities. o We particularly need to work with Education Department to find ways to reduce the many requirements while still accomplishing the outcome goals dictated by the State Board of Teaching. o Additionally, we need to find a way to provide a high quality music education, with its demands for continuous private and ensemble study with the necessary history/literature and theory study while allowing students time for electives or a second major on top of their general education requirements. Reestablish a widely recognized sacred music program for students in conjunction with Christ Chapel. o Gustavus has unique opportunity in this area because of the extensive worship life of Christ Chapel, outstanding organ facilities, strong vocal/choral program, and strong Religion Department. o This will require resurrecting/redesigning coursework in hymnology, liturgics, sacred music literature, etc. o Opportunity to teach it and do it all in the same location is a tremendous advantage if fully utilized. o Program is underdeveloped at present because: Previous lack of support for the importance of this emphasis when hiring certain key positions. Current Organist/Cantor has been extensively utilized by the College in senior administrative positions and now as Chair of the Music Department.